Rene Velarde Writes

Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit by Francis Chan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book.


Why I read it:


I grew up in church without really talking about, or referencing the Holy Spirit; pretty much up through high school. But I was introduced to a lot of conversation and controversy surrounding the Holy Spirit in college. The sudden submersion into hostile territory surrounding who, what, how, when, why the Holy Spirit did anything, brought me to a point where I was so desperate for clear answers, yet at the same time I so was over anyone trying to convince me to believe anything they said.


For a while I only believed in two Gods, Jesus and God the Father. The Holy Spirit was on territory I didn't want to step on.


But as time progressed, I knew I needed to know at least something we all agreed on.


Chan talks about this in the book a little bit, why we neglect God in His Spirit form.


Overall I gave it 5 stars. I found myself connecting with "Forgotten God". This book wont answer all your questions (It will most likely cause you to ask more questions). But the questions it does spark are healthy ones that lead to growth, not frustration and division.


Things I loved:


*spoiler*

I love how Chan writes. He communicates so effortlessly to the reader. He dives into the Bible and takes a look at what the Holy Spirit is, does, how, and why. In one of my favorite chapters, he quotes scripture pertaining to the identity and role of the Holy Spirit and then elaborates on it.


From my impression, this isn't a book to support charismatics, or non-charismatics. In the book, Chan gives the impression that the most noticeable and most repeated manifestation of the Holy Spirit, from the book of Acts, was in the form of boldness.


This is what I'm talking about. I was shown a new way to "interact" with Holy Spirit, to be "lead" by the Spirit. A way that doesn't divide, discourage, or confuse, but unites and uplifts in comprehensive ways. Never before had I heard someone explain that to me.


Not only does Chan give insight into how the Holy Spirit interacts with us on an individual basis, he gives his perspective on how the Holy Spirit interacts within our church gatherings (another area that was difficult for me to understand and accept). This section is also really good and challenging. Again asking more questions than giving answers.


The reason why I like that Chan forces us to stop and ask ourselves why we do things, is because I feel there is a temptation in church's for Christians to do things, or "participate," simply because everyone else is doing them- without really digging into the Bible for support or evidence. When in reality, there are greater things that need to be done and perhaps priorities that need to be shifted.





Great book to answer some questions, and spark new ones.



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